Bayelsa, Nigeria – The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force have jointly paraded eight suspects in connection with the recent abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a High Court Judge in Bayelsa State.
The suspects, consisting of six men and two women, were presented to the media in Yenagoa on Thursday by Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, and the Director of DSS in the state, Adedapo Amao.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects are currently in DSS custody, which coordinated the judge’s rescue operation and the arrests that followed.
Governor Douye Diri had earlier disclosed during a State Executive Council meeting that the security agencies had arrested all members of the gang behind the abduction, although the alleged ringleader remains at large.
Key Confessions by the Suspects
One of the suspects, identified as Justice Brodrick from Ozobo community in Delta State, gave a chilling confession. He claimed he was recruited by a man he referred to as his "boss" and was later joined by others, including his younger brother, for the operation.
Brodrick stated that the operation began on June 21 when they arrived in Yenagoa and were provided with uniforms and vehicles. They allegedly abducted Justice Omukoro from the premises of a popular eatery in the Ekeki area and moved him to a remote hideout in a neighbouring state.
“We didn’t have a specific target,” Brodrick confessed. “We were patrolling when we saw the judge at Kilimanjaro and decided to kidnap him. When we learned he was from Ekeremor Local Government and an Ijaw man like us, we decided to treat him well.”
He added that while the group’s leader, known only as “General,” insisted on handcuffing the victim, he ordered they show him some level of respect because of his ethnic background.
Another suspect named John admitted to being contacted for the operation but claimed he declined due to illness. However, he confessed to being present at the camp where the judge was held.
Authorities Commend Joint Operation
Commissioner of Police Francis Idu praised the success of the joint operation, which he described as a demonstration of the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture under Governor Diri’s administration.
He revealed that the DSS deployed a special tactical team from Abuja, which played a pivotal role in locating and rescuing the judge, as well as arresting two female accomplices.
Idu acknowledged Governor Diri's support for the operation, including the provision of logistics that enabled swift inter-agency collaboration.
“This is a victory for security cooperation in Bayelsa. It sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and criminality will not be tolerated,” Idu emphasized.
Ongoing Investigation
The DSS confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the ringleader of the syndicate.
Security agencies have assured the public that they remain committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring that all perpetrators of crime are brought to justice.
